Hi everyone. I know there are quite a few threads about puppy training and behaviour but my problem is slightly different and I would really love any advice. My Labrador is 4 and is usually a very obedient quiet boy. But lately he can take an instant dislike to another dog and be really aggressive for no apparent reason. Its worse if a dog approaches him whilst his on the lead so I try distraction but once he's focused its difficult to snap him out of it. These episodes are rare, and its always towards boys never girls. Last week he was off the lead with a group of human friends and dog friends and a spaniel I've not seen before decided to trot by and say hello, and my Labrador snapped at him! When I call him he acts submissively, lowers his head and stands behind me but its too late and the damage is done! Please can anyone relate to this? Thanks in advance.
Hi and welcome . Is there any chance he has had a scare with another dog ? If so, this can sometimes cause reactions such a you describe . If this isn't the case , my first port of call would be the Vets , just to check him over to make sure there isn't a physical reason for this change of behaviour .
Hello Thanks for your reply. I can't remember any instances, only when he was a puppy and when he still had his manly bits did other dogs show aggression to him. I did take him a while back to the vets to check his back as he injured it a couple of years ago and I was worried that he was still in pain, but was given the all clear. Might be worth a check up though. Much appreciated.
Pain can cause a change in behaviour , causing dogs to be fearful of being hurt, protecting themselves , so given his history , it would be well worth having him checked on, please let us know x
If he's on the lead I would ask other owners not to let their dogs come over to try and reduce his reactivity. Have you tried LAT (Look at that)? I use it when I see a strange dog in the distance to distract my girl and enable me to keep her calm and focussed on me as she can be reactive at times. I have found this method to be really useful.
Is he OK with dogs he knows and has played with in the past? Do you see any common behavior or appearance in the dogs he does not like? Our first Lab was bitten by a GSD and disliked all GSDs after that.
Thank you for your reply also. No I haven't heard of LAT training and I will look into that. I guess I should be more assertive when others let their dogs wander near him when his on his lead.
Hi another thank you for your reply. He is fine with dogs that he knows and has played with. The pattern is boys, never snaps at girls. If they are being a bit too playful he backs off and ignore them. He really dislikes Staffordshire Bull Terriers, he's unfortunately met some really horrible ones. So when we've seen a staff I walk the other way. But recently he snapped at a really lovely Spaniel, so it does worry me as that was unusual.
I don't like meeting other dogs with one on leash and the other off either. Unfortunately for us it was the big, powerful leashed dog that attacked my unleashed dog this past summer. Normally, I think, it's the leashed dog who is unsettled when one off leash comes up to him/her. But either one can take offense if body language is off. But I think there was another factor in our experience and maybe it pertains to you? My boy is intact and the big, powerful dog was neutered. It's certainly not every neutered male but they can be a problem and it is a "thing" that some do not like intact males. In fact, one big Ridgie was fine till he got neutered at two years old and now we avoid him.
I think you have a point as a friend of mine has a Labrador who doesn't like boys with their parts intact, and I think that might play a part in it. I guess the training is never complete!
